Saturday 14 November 1896 was a red-letter day in the history of British motoring: the 'Emancipation Run' from London to Brighton celebrated the passing of the Locomotives on the Highway Act. This raised the speed limit for 'light locomotives' from four miles per hour to 14 mph and abolished the requirement to be preceded by a man on foot.
From 1930 to the present day the Run has been owned and professionally run by the Royal Automobile Club of Pall Mall London. Only cars made before 1 January 1905 can take part in the ride which takes place on the open road on the first Sunday in November.
At the start of this week the RAC announced it has teamed up with The Scout Association for a three-year road safety partnership that will reach more than half a million Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts.
"The three-year partnership will see RAC patrols visit Scout Groups to teach road safety, focusing on campaigns such as how to be road smart in the 21st century and in-car safety.
The RAC road safety campaign will be combined with the Scouts’ road safety programme; the RAC will sponsor the Cub Scouts’ Road Safety activity badge, fronted by the Horace mascot, as part of this association.
The RAC has also created a Road Safety Awareness Charity, with the aim of raising enough funds to give every Cub Scout in Britain a high-visibility vest by 2018."Lead by example and charity begins at home are time-served sayings so the RAC should probably first raise funds to give hi-vis vests and lights to the vulnerable car occupants on their annual car run - all the more so when it's as foggy as it was this morning. Alternatively, I'm sure Volvo would happily spray paint all over the cars and occupants as part of their road safety messaging.
